Astrotech Corporation (Nasdaq: ASTC) , a Washington corporation organized in
1984, is an Austin, Texas based technology company that has evolved from over
30 years in the human spaceflight, Space Shuttle and Department of Defense (“DOD”)
satellite programs. The Company is a leader in the commercialization of space
technologies, and we also continuously evaluate potential investment opportunities
where we can leverage our significant entrepreneurial experience, operating
experience and vast network to add value for our shareholders.
The Company now operates a single reportable business unit, Spacetech, and
its efforts are focused on the following:
Working with customers and development partners to satisfy application specific
chemical detection objectives using our advanced mass spectrometry technology;
Extending our intellectual property portfolio by enhancing and refining our
mass spectrometry technology;
Enabling film restoration, enhancement and digitization using an automated
process that revives the original color and removes dust, scratches and defects
from film to restore it to its original condition;
Facilitating the shift from 2K resolution to Ultra-High Definition (“UHD”)
High Dynamic Range (“HDR”) 4K resolution, the format in which the
next generation of digital video content will be delivered to the home; and
Developing next generation vaccines using the unique environment of microgravity.
We are a technology company designed to commercialize space-industry technologies.
The substantial majority of operations are related to 1st Detect and the Company
is in the process of developing two other business lines.
1st Detect develops, manufactures and sells miniaturized transportable mass
spectrometers and related equipment. Mass spectrometers, in general, measure
the mass and relative abundance of ions in a sample to create a “mass
spectrum.” The resulting mass spectrum is a unique fingerprint that is
compared to a reference library of mass spectra to verify the identity of a
sample. Mass spectrometers can identify chemicals with more accuracy and precision
than competing instruments given their extreme sensitivity and specificity.
1st Detect’s mass spectrometer is a chemical analyzer that provides laboratory
quality, real-time analysis. The system is now the platform for the world’s
smallest commercially available Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (“GC/MS”).
The Company’s proprietary technology utilizes advanced low power electronics
and miniaturization technologies developed for detecting a wide range of chemicals
quickly with very high sensitivity, specificity and reliability. The instrument
provides laboratory quality performance in a much smaller footprint and at a
much lower price than competing mass spectrometers. The Company has eleven granted
U.S. patents, seven granted foreign patents, three pending U.S. patents and
two pending foreign patent applications.
Our product portfolio currently consists of the following products:
MMS-1000™ - the MMS-1000™ is a small, low power desktop mass spectrometer
designed for the laboratory market. The unique design of this unit enables fast,
quality chemical analysis and requires minimal benchtop space (about the size
of a shoebox), requires less power than a typical light bulb, and, unlike traditional
instruments, requires no consumables or special infrastructure.
OEM-1000 - the OEM-1000 is a mass spectrometer component that drives the MMS-1000™.
It is designed to be integrated into a customer’s specific packaging and
enclosures, and is well suited to be integrated with application specific sampling
or separation technology. A variant, the OEM-1000PI has recently been integrated
into a TGA manufactured by RIGAKU Corp. of Tokyo, Japan, one of the leading
instrumentation companies in Asia. The integrated instrument named Thermo iMS2
is the world’s first integrated TGA with MS/MS capabilities and will be
sold by RIGAKU to the international research and development markets. A further
variant of the OEM-1000 has been selected by Battelle, a leading supplier of
military chemical detection equipment, for integration into the NGCD, a program
under development by the DOD’s Joint Program Executive for Chemical and
Biological Defense.
iONTRAC - the iONTRAC is a process analyzer utilizing an enhanced version of
our core mass spectrometer technology, which includes the addition and integration
of gas chromatography and continuous 24/7 operational features. The iONTRAC
provides in-situ real-time monitoring of industrial processes, and we are targeting
customers in petrochemical processing, food and beverage manufacturing, critical
infrastructure protection and semiconductor clean-room environmental monitoring.
The instrument is designed to autonomously monitor processes and to provide
reports using industry standard factory management system (“FMS”)
infrastructure.
Astrogenetix is a biotechnology company formed to commercialize vaccine targets
discovered in the unique environment of microgravity.
Astrogenetix is a biotechnology company formed to commercialize products processed
in the unique environment of microgravity. Astrogenetix pursued an aggressive
space access strategy to take advantage of the space shuttle program prior to
its retirement in 2011. Astrogenetix and the team are currently focused on developing
a Salmonella vaccine as part of the ongoing commercialization strategy. We have
negotiated a Space Act Agreement with NASA providing for a minimum of twenty-eight
additional space flights following the successful filing of the IND application
for Salmonella.
Astral Images
Astral provides efficient and high quality film digitization, image correction
and enhancement technology. We offer complete systems containing customized
off-the-shelf hardware with integrated Astral Images software, standalone software
products and scanning or enhancement services. Our two products include:
Astral Black ICE™ - targeted mainly towards the black and white feature
film and televisions series digitization and restoration markets, Astral Black
ICE™ is a complete system with customized off the shelf hardware with
purpose built software and services. Our image correction and enhancement technology
is integrated into the scanner while offering high quality real-time results
at scan speed.
Astral Color ICE™ - a standalone software solution that can be integrated
into most film scanners to enable color image correction and enhancement.
Both Astral Black ICE™ and Astral Color ICE™ provide for significant
cost savings over the expensive and labor intensive manual process that has
been the industry standard.
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